Building veneer construction



April 20, 1931. AA. F. ELIEL 2,078,069

I BUILDING YENEER I-NS'.I''IUC'I'IO A Filed Aug. 17 1935 mmm Wfl

INV ENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

ALBERT j. LJEL `50 usually left to unskilled labor on the Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 17,

1935, Serial No. 36,645

1o claims. l(o1. 7oz-0.5)

The present invention pertains to a novel veneer construction, particularly brick or stone veneer, for the exterior walls of buildings. The constructions described herein, according to this inven- 5 tion, are intended primarily for the improvement of old structures, and in this connection structural units of brick or stone of less than standard thickness are preferably used. However, the invention is not limited to the veneering of old structures and the use of thin brick, and further, the material constituting the veneer may be other than brick.

lIn building a new structure of brick'veneer, a masonry foundational supporting wall is customarily built which extends from grade to below the frost line. The foundational wall supports the building structure and also theloutside layer of masonry veneer, and is built of such thickness as to allow a ledge beyond the framework proper Z0 upon which the masonry veneer wall is laid. In the construction of ordinary frame or stucco vbuildings this foundation wall is usually of 'less thickness than is necessary when a masonry veneer wall is to be supported.

In applying a' veneer to an old structure it is necessary to provide some means of supporting the veneer wall, but it is desirable to avoid the necessity of digging down into the ground to extend the foundation. Instead of the costly method of extending the foundation and providing a support in this mannenthe object of this invention is to provide a simplified supporting ledge which is mounted on the existing foundation wall at or near the grade line.

Another object is to simplify the fastening and supporting means for the ledge. Where angle iron or reenforcing bars are used to give strength to the supporting ledge, these and their fastening means should be properly encased for protection from the elements. The present invention provides a mounting that greatly simplifies the cornplete encasing of the reinforcing iron in the ledge and the supporting members.

A further object is to provide a method whereby the supporting ledge and mounting can be erected from manufactured units of pre-determined strength to eliminate the uncertainty of improper mixing of the concrete and insecure fastening of the ledge to the wall, which work is job. By providing a pre-fabricated ledge-mounting system and units of proper load bearing capacity, a sufficiently strong supporting ledge will result. Unskilled labor can then be used for simple erec- 55 tion without the question arising as to whether the supporting ledge will be strong enough to support the veneer wall.

i In the preferred embodiment of the invention, special blocks are inserted in the existing wall at spaced intervals and in horizontal alignment. Each such block has a portion projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the foundation wall for supporting beams that constitute the ledge. These projecting portions are formed with a key construction or sloped lip that holds and secures a properly shaped beam in position without the necessity of additional securing means.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of the specially shaped block and beam.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a plan section;

Figure 2 is a vertical section;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the special block;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the special beam, and

Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8 are vertical sections of modified constructions.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The foundation structure is shown more clearly in Figure 2 where it `is seen to include a base or underground foundation l with a so-called foundation wall 2 erected thereon. For the purposes of the present invention, the foundation wall extends some distance above the grade line 3 and consists of concrete blocks, brick or the like. The wall 4 erected upon the foundation wall is usually the finished wall of a completed building, to be veneered for the purpose of improving the property, although the veneering system presently to be described may be used in the original construction of the wall.

Ordinarily the foundation wall 2 is of sufcient width to support the veneer as well as the frame wall 4. According to this invention, in order not to dig into the earth and widen the foundation wall in applying a veneer to an old building, a comparatively shallow trough 5 is dug around the foundation wall, and certain of the foundation blocks are removed at a level at or slightly below the grade line, leaving spaces 6. In these spaces are inserted blocks of special construction, designated by the numeral 1 and so formed as to provide an outwardly extending portion to support a ledge for the veneer, as will presently be described.

' directly'from the top Each such block is of generally rectangular conguration and does not quite fill its space 6, leaving a narrow space at each end of the block. Reinforcing members 8, in the form of rods, or the like, are provided in the block and project beyond the ends thereof into the spaces B as indicated by the numeral 9. The internal reinforcement further includes rods or wires 8 joining the members 8. The spaces at the ends of the block are filled with mortar at 'l'.

in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It is in the form ofv a having its inner surface I 2 sloping downwardly towards the foundation WallZ. The'sloping surface I2 is the outer wall of a trough hav-I ing a horizontal bottom I3 and an opposite vertical side wall I4 lying flush with the outerY surface of the foundation wall 2. also preferably provided at the corner, and this basa-lip I Itontwo sides as clearly shown in Figure 1. Any of the blocks. may substantially -ll te spaces providedffor them; if desired', and such av constructionis; illustrated in connection with the corner block:V I5;

Thespecial-blocks 'I and L5' serve to supporta ledge made up: of beams of. the: character shown in Figures 1, 2` and 3.V Each such beamv is a rectangular member I6, square in cross section, with a corner bevelled o .as indicated bythe numeral Il. This bevel slopes to. the trough II-I4- so that' thebeam fits therein. as in Figure 2. Preferablythe ends. of abutting beams are brought togetherin one trough, the endsl being mortared inthe trough as? indicated by the numeral I8; No other securing. or attaching means, such as bolts or the: like, for holding the beams, is required. A bric .veneer I5.- is then built: up on the beams, forming aV space 20 next to the foundation wall. or frame wall.- The outer face of the veneer is preferably flush with that ofthe block 'I and beams I6.

Figure 5 shows a modication in which the substituted block: ZI merelyprojects outwardly at 22 beyond the foundationwall` 23. Upon the projectionbr ledge thus formed are supported angle irons 24 held'by bolts 25` Brick veneer 2.6 is then built up from the angle. iron. ledge, ,leaving a'space 21 similar to the space 20, and the heads 28 ofthe bolts 25 being embeddedin mortar..

A similar projectingblock. 311 is'shown. inv Figure 6, and on the projecting parts 3l thereofV are Asupported abutting concrete beams 32. These are of simple square cross section and are held to' the parts 3| by-long bolts 3.3.,.the heads 34' of which are received in. countersunk recesses 35 pre-cast in the beams.

Figure 7 showsa special block 40 with a projecting portion 4I similar to the projecting portion of the block. 'I in Figure 2. The forward face 42 of this block, instead of'being'perpendi'cular, is parallel to the outer inclined wall` 43 of the. trough that receives the beams 44'. The latter have one corner cut out and beveled on one side of the angle toform a notch lreceiving the upper edge of the lip 4I. This figure also illustrates that it is not essential to mortar the beams in the trough, since thelip 4I holds them from slipping forwardly, and the load holds them' rmly wedged in the trough.

In Figure 8 the'block 5I] has a lip 5I extending 52 of the block. The beam E3 mounted therein is of substantially the same cross section as that shown in Figures 2 and 3, having one side bevelled at 54 to-'t in the trough formed by the lip 5I. This beam, as well as the A special block I5 is` other concrete beams, has a lengthwise reinforcement indicated generally by the numeral 55 in Figure 8.

It will be seen that in all cases the reinforcement within the special or substituted block extends into the forwardly projecting portion to prevent shearing or excessive strain due to the load on the projecting portion.

It will be noted that all the load members, namely the special blocks and the beams or ledges, in the constructions herein described are pre-fabricated and then brought to the job Where it is only necessary to place them in position. Their strength is pre-determined and the load capacity is definitely known, so that blocks and beams. of proper strength for the veneer to be applied may readily be furnished, instead of mixing cement of proper proportions on the job. There. is no danger of disturbing the intended proportions by absorption of water from the earthf. Inasmuch as there is no mixing of concrete' on the job, unskilledlabor may be used, less supervision is necessary, and no forms are required.

Where. a sloped outward lip is used, no securingmeans for' the beams is necessary, Where bolts. and' an. iron ledge are used, these metal parts are encased principally in the erection of the veneer, andA only a small quantity of mortar is necessary to cover the lower ends, as indicatedby the numeral 60 in Figure 5.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood thatv various alterations in the details-of construction parting from the scope of the invention, as indicatedv by. the appended claims.

WhatsI claim is:

1.' Ina building wall having a foundation strucure, an outside veneer supporting means comprising spacedk blocks inserted in and supported by said structure inhorizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from said structure, and beam members supported upon and bridging the projecting portions of said blocks.

2. In abuilding wall havinga foundation structure, an outside veneer supporting means comprising spaced blocks inserted in and supported by said structure in horizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from said structure, beam members supported upon and bridging the projecting portions of said blocks, and means securing said members to said projecting portions.

3. In a building wall having a foundation struc- I ture, an outside veneer supporting means comprising spaced blocks inserted in and supported by said structure in horizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from saidr structure, the vertical ends of said blocks being spaced from the adjacent foundation structure,.reinforcing members in said blocks and extending into the spaces, and a filling material filling said spaces and embedding the extended parts of said reinforcing members.

4. In a-building wall having a foundation structure, an outside veneer supporting means comprisin'g'spaced blocks inserted in and supported by said structure in horizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from said structure, the projecting portions of each block having a lip spaced from the outersurface of said foundation structure and slopingoutmay be made without dewardly and upwardly, and beam members bridging said projecting portions and tted between said outer surface and said lips.

5. In a building wall having a foundation structure, an outside veneer supporting means comprising spaced blocks inserted in and supported by said structure in horizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from said structure, the projecting portions of each block having a lip spaced from the outer surface of said foundation structure and sloping outwardly and upwardly, and beam members bridging said projecting portions and fitted between said outer surface and said lips, the outer surface of each beam being sloped complementary to said lips, whereby the weight on said beams causes the lips to wedge the beams against said outer surface.

6. A block adapted to be set in an opening in the foundation structure of a building wall, comprising a body, a projecting portion adapted to project outwardly from the outer surface of said structure, said portion having a lip formed along its outer edge, the inner side of said lip having an upward and outward slope from said body and adapted to face the building wall.

7. A block adapted to be set in an opening in the foundation structure of a building wall, comprising a body, a projecting portion adapted to project outwardly from the outer surface of said structure, said portion having a lip formed along its outer edge, the inner side of said lip having an upward and outward slope from said body and adapted to face the building wall, and reinforcing means in said block and projecting outwardly from ends thereof, in substantially parallel relation to said lip.

8. A block adapted to be set in an opening in the foundation structure of a building wall, comprising a body, a projecting portion adapted to project outwardly from the outer surface of said structure, said portion having a lip formed along its outer edge, the inner side of said lip having an upward and outward slope from said body and adapted to face the building wall, and reinforcing means in said block and extending from the body thereof into said projecting portion.

9. In a building wall, two blocks adjacent to each other and spaced apart, one of said blocks having a projecting portion for supporting veneer; the space being filled with concrete, and reinforcing bars mounted in one of said blocks and extending towards said space, at least one cf said bars having an end received in said space and embedded in the concrete, whereby the load of such veneer on said projecting portion is transmitted at least partially to said last named bar and said concrete.

l0. In a building wall having a foundation structure, an outside veneer supporting means comprising spaced blocks inserted in and supported by said structure in horizontal alignment, said blocks having portions projecting outwardly from said structure, and beam members supported upon and bridging the projecting portions of said blocks, the ends of said beam members resting on said blocks.

ALBERT F. ELIEL. 

